A new “takeaway pizza joint” has been thrown out – after concerns over “parking outside”.
Bucks Council refused a ‘change of use’ application by Papa John’s (GB) Ltd for 41 Sycamore Road, Amersham.
Plans outlined the ‘conversion from a shop to a hot food takeaway with internal and external alterations, including new rear extraction and boiler flues, a fresh air intake grille and side door’.
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Opening hours would have been from 8am-11pm, Sunday to Thursday and Bank Holidays, and from 8am-1am, Friday and Saturday.
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A speaker for the application said the scheme would have brought around “20 jobs”, adding there were “no objections from highways”.
But Cllr David King had concerns about “parking outside”, “anti-social behaviour and nuisance to residents’ amenity”.
There were 28 letters of objection, as well as Amersham Town Council, Amersham and District Residents’ Association, and Amersham Action Group.
“A takeaway pizza joint, when we already have a proliferation of fast-food restaurants, does not strike me as the best design,” said Cllr Jane MacBean.
“The reality here is this is a pizza delivery joint, most of those (20) jobs will be zero-hours contracts delivery staff on scooters.
“With the best will in the world, they’re going to pull up to the front, they’re going to take the fastest route, they’re going to go through the front door.
“I do have concerns about how this is going to exacerbate existing highways issues.”
Council officers felt it would “not improve the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre”, that it is “unlikely to attract business”, and that it would “fail to provide access to healthier food”.
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